The need is urgent—especially in developing countries, where 99 percent of maternal and newborn deaths occur. In Africa, one woman out of 40 will lose her life during pregnancy or childbirth. And every year, nearly 3 million newborns die in the first month of life. That’s a staggering loss of potential.

A safe start for every life

It doesn’t have to be this way. In wealthy countries, mothers and babies thrive when they have access to education, support, trained medical personnel, and diagnostic tests and equipment. Yet worldwide, millions of families lack these crucial resources.

PATH is partnering with countries and communities to turn the tide. We’re working to make sure all expectant mothers can give birth in a healthy environment with skilled medical care. We empower communities with the information and education to protect moms and babies during birth and the vulnerable weeks that follow. We advocate to make newborns and their mothers a global priority. And we advance low-cost, easy-to-use technologies to combat common and deadly problems in labor and delivery, including postpartum hemorrhage, infections, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

By getting the right tools and approaches to communities everywhere, we’re giving more mothers and babies the chance to thrive—regardless of where they are born or where they live.